Hundreds of people stung in Shaanxi province by swarms of giant insects.

Twenty-eight people have died and hundreds have been injured in a wave of attacks by giant hornets in central China, according to reports.

Victims described being chased for hundreds of metres by the creatures and stung as many as 200 times.

Li Jiuzhou, deputy director of the Shaanxi Bee and Wasp Industry Association, said that hundreds or even thousands of hornets could live in a single nest. They attack humans only if disturbed, he added. But they are carnivorous and can quickly destroy bee colonies

Wang Zhengcai, an official from one of the affected villages, said authorities had warned people to be careful if they enter the woods

The culprit appears to be the Asian giant hornet or Vespa mandarinia, which grows up to 5cm long with a 6mm sting.

They look like a larger version of the European Hornet. I've had plenty of experience with the European Hornets. Those are supposed to be non-aggressive unless you disturb their nest. Well, the only time I encounter them is when I disturb the nest. I've encountered nests in logs and underground. You have to watch out what you try to collect for firewood and where you step.

Once you have upset them, it's time to run. They are mean, like a larger version of the Yellow Jacket (which is another colony-living wasp).

If my experience with the European Hornet is any measure, dealing with a angry swarm of hornets that are twice as large must be painful.

They look like a larger version of the European Hornet. I've had plenty of experience with the European Hornets. Those are supposed to be non-aggressive unless you disturb their nest. Well, the only time I encounter them is when I disturb the nest. I've encountered nests in logs and underground. You have to watch out what you try to collect for firewood and where you step.

Once you have upset them, it's time to run. They are mean, like a larger version of the Yellow Jacket (which is another colony-living wasp).

If my experience with the European Hornet is any measure, dealing with a angry swarm of hornets that are twice as large must be painful.

Not to mention the occasional wolf spider you find in a pile of wood, y'know, the kind that grows to about the circumference of a small coffee saucer. Forget hornets, a spider that size is enough to cause cardiac arrest just be looking at it! ( I speak from experience.)